Package with carrying handle and blank for forming the handle

ABSTRACT

A package (P) comprising: a group of articles (A) arranged in one or more tiers; an engaging member (F); and a handle attached to the group of articles via the engaging member. The handle comprising: a handle portion (312; 312′; 214a′/214b′) structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and at least one hook (316a/316b; 316c/316d; 316a′/313a′/316b′/313b; 313c′/316c′/316d′/313d; 213a′/216a′/216b′/213b′) coupled to the handle portion and comprising at least one tooth (330; 330; 230′). The at least one hook comprising at least two hook panels (316a, 316b) folded with respect to one another and each comprising at least one tooth (330; 330′; 230′), at least part of the handle being received in an aperture defined in the engaging member such that the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels engages the engaging member and thereby the group of articles, whereby the handle is connected to the group of articles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachable carrying handle by which an article may be carried and/or by which one or more articles may be held together; more particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a package comprising an attachable carrying handle; to one or more blanks for forming an attachable handle; to a reinforced carrying handle; and to a top cover for providing a bill-board advertising area and/or for protecting articles held in the package. Further specifically but not exclusively, the top cover may be held against a group of articles by the attachable carrying handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of packaging, it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary products. Such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles. A further consideration is the comfort of the consumer when carrying or handling the packaged products for transporting them through a store and onwards to their home.

The present invention seeks to provide one or more improvements in the field of packaging by providing an attachable carrying handle and a package comprising an attachable carrying handle. In some embodiments, the invention provides a supplementary panel or top cover for presenting information or advertising graphics. The top cover is attached to an article group and held in place thereon by the attachable carrying handle. Another aspect of the invention provides a carrying handle that is reinforced.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of packaging. Aspects of the invention relate to a package, a carrying handle, a kit of parts and a blank as defined in the appended claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a package comprising a group of articles arranged in one or more tiers; an engaging member joined to the group of articles having a lifting surface; and a handle attached to the group of articles via engagement of the handle with the engaging member, the handle comprising a handle portion structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and at least one hook coupled to the handle portion, the at least one hook comprising at least two hook panels folded with respect to one another and each comprising at least one tooth, at least part of the handle being received in an aperture defined in the engaging member such that the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels engages the lifting surface of the engaging member, whereby the handle is connected to the group of articles.

Optionally, the at least one hook comprises two hooks, and each of the two hooks comprises two hook panels folded with respect to one another and wherein a first pair of hook panels is coupled to a first end of the handle portion, and a second pair of hook panels is coupled to a second end of the handle portion opposing the first end.

Additionally, the said at least two hook panels may be folded with respect to one another at an angle relative to one another such that a cross-section through the at least two hook panels is substantially “V”-shaped.

Optionally, at least one tooth of a first of said at least two hook panels of one of the hooks has an engaging edge that is disposed, at least in part, in the same plane as an engaging edge of a tooth of a second of said at least two hook panels, such that the two teeth simultaneously engage the lifting surface of the engaging member at spaced locations.

Optionally, the handle portion is coupled to said at least one hook by one or more gusset panels such that the handle portion is foldable at an angle relative to the at least one hook and into flat face contacting relationship with an upper surface of the group of articles.

Preferably, but nevertheless optionally, each of the one or more tiers comprises an array of articles having a dimension of at least two articles by at least two articles, wherein each of the articles comprises a flange and wherein each article is frangibly connected to at least two adjacent articles by their respective flanges.

The engaging member may be formed from at least a portion of the flange of one or more of the articles of the group, and the at least one tooth of each hook panel engages a separate portion of a lowermost surface of the flange of one or more of the articles of the group. Alternatively, the engaging member may be formed from an insert, wherein the insert comprises a panel having an aperture for receiving the tooth and the tooth engages a lowermost surface of the panel of the insert.

The package may further comprise a top cover comprising a primary panel having at least one aperture, said at least part of the at least one hook of the handle is additionally received in the at least one aperture of the primary panel, and the top cover is attached to the group of articles by virtue of the connection of the handle to the group of articles.

Optionally, the package may further comprise at least one reinforcement panel hinged to a hook panel and/or hinged to the handle portion, said at least one reinforcement panel being folded into a substantially flat-face contacting relationship with the said hook panel and/or said handle portion.

The at least one tooth of each hook may project from an outer edge of a hook panel, the at least one reinforcement panel may be hinged to a hook panel and may comprise an outer edge that has a shape similar to the shape of an outer edge of the hook panel and the reinforcement panel may reinforce the at least one tooth. Optionally, said one or more reinforcement panels is hinged to at least one tooth. Optionally, at least a portion of the at least one hook has a cross-section that is substantially chevron-shaped.

The top cover may further comprise one or more end panels and/or one or more side panels hinged to the primary panel and wherein the at least one aperture of the primary panel may be elliptical in shape.

The or each hook panel may comprise a number of teeth selected from the group consisting of: one tooth, two teeth, three teeth and four teeth.

According to a second aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a carrying handle comprising a handle portion and at least one hook, the handle portion being structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and the at least one hook comprising at least two hook panels each coupled to the handle portion, the at least two hook panels being folded with respect to one another and each having at least one tooth, wherein each tooth extends from a respective one of the at least two hook panels for engaging with an engaging member of an article group such that the carrying handle is suitable for being attached to an article group.

The at least one hook may comprise two hooks, a first hook coupled to a first end of the handle portion and a second hook coupled to a second end of the handle portion opposing the first end and wherein each hook comprises at least two hook panels, folded with respect one another and each having at least one tooth.

Optionally, the carrying handle may further comprise gusset panels for at least partially coupling each of the at least one hooks to the handle portion.

The at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels may extend from a respective one of the at least two hook panels to form a ratchet and the carrying handle may further comprise one or more reinforcement panels hinged to the at least one hook and/or to the handle portion.

Optionally, the one or more reinforcement panels may comprise at least two reinforcement panels hinged to the at least two hook panels via respective hinged connections. Additionally, the at least one hook may comprise two hooks each comprising a pair of hook panels coupled to a respective one of opposed ends of the handle portion, and said one or more reinforcement panels may comprise four reinforcement panels, the four reinforcement panels being hinged to each hook panel of said two pairs of hook panels via respective hinged connections.

Optionally, the carrying handle further comprises a gusset panel coupling each of the at least two hook panels to the handle portion, wherein none of the one or more reinforcement panels overlaps or reinforces said gusset panels.

According to a third aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a blank for forming a carrying handle comprising a handle portion structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and at least one hook coupled to the handle portion, the blank comprising at least two hook panels foldable with respect to one another and each comprising at least one tooth, and a handle portion, at least part of the handle being configured such that it can be received in an aperture defined in an engaging member of an article array such that the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels can engage such an engaging, whereby the carrying handle formed from the blank is attachable to the group of articles.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4. is a perspective view from the front and side of an attachable carrying handle formed by folding the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5. is a perspective view from the front and side of a four-tiered stack of arrayed articles;

FIG. 6. is a perspective view from the front and side of the attachable carrying handle of FIG. 4, being inserted into the four-tiered stack of arrayed articles of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7. is a perspective view from the bottom of the four-tiered stack of arrayed articles of FIG. 5, showing the engagement of adjoined and co-operative hooks of the attachable carrying handle with the underside of an array of articles of the tiered stack;

FIG. 8. is a perspective view from the top, front and side of the four-tiered stacked-array of FIG. 5 being lifted by a user deploying the attachable carrying handle formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11. is a perspective view from above of the blank of FIG. 9 being folded to form an attachable carrying handle;

FIG. 12. is a perspective view from of the underside of the blank of FIG. 9 being folded to form an attachable carrying handle;

FIG. 13. is a perspective view from above of the attachable carrying handle formed from the blank of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14. is a perspective view of the front and side of a two-tiered stack of six-arrayed articles held together as a unit by the attachable carrying handle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15. is a perspective view from above of the package of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16. is a perspective view from above of the package of FIG. 15 being lifted by a user deploying the attachable carrying handle;

FIG. 17. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18. is a plan view of a blank for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19. is a perspective view from above of a package formed from an attachable carrying handle formed from the blank of FIG. 17 when attached to an array of six adjoined articles. The package is shown when being lifted by a user deploying the attachable carrying handle;

FIG. 20. is a perspective view from the bottom of the package of FIG. 19, showing the engagement of adjoined and co-operative hooks of the attachable carrying handle with the underside of an array of six adjoined articles;

FIG. 21. is a plan view of a blank for forming a top cover according to a first embodiment of a further aspect of the invention;

FIG. 22. is a perspective view from above of the front and side of a two-tiered stack of articles with the top cover formed from the blank of FIG. 21 being folded thereabout;

FIG. 23. is a plan view of a blank for forming a top cover according to a second embodiment of the further aspect of the invention;

FIG. 24. is a perspective view from above of the front and side of a two-tiered stack of articles with the top cover formed from the blank of FIG. 23 folded thereabout;

FIG. 25. is a perspective view from above of the front and side of a two-tiered stack of articles, with the top cover of FIG. 23 folded thereabout and with the two-tiers and the top cover held together as a unit by the attachable carrying handle of FIG. 9;

FIG. 26. is a plan view of a blank for forming a top cover according to a third embodiment of the further aspect of the invention;

FIG. 27. is a perspective view from above of the front and side of a two-tiered stack of articles with the top cover formed from the blank of FIG. 26 folded thereabout;

FIG. 28. is a plan view of a blank for forming a top cover according to a fourth embodiment of the further aspect of the invention;

FIG. 29. is a perspective view from above of the front and side of a two-tiered stack of articles with the top cover formed from the blank of FIG. 28 folded thereabout, and with the two-tiers and the top cover held together as a unit by an attachable carrying handle shown in FIGS. 33 to 35;

FIG. 30. is a perspective view from above of the top and side of the unitary package of FIG. 29, wherein a user is grasping the attachable carrying handle for lifting the package;

FIG. 31. is a plan view of a blank for forming a top cover according to a fifth embodiment of the further aspect of the invention;

FIG. 32. is a perspective view from above of the top, front and side of a two-tiered stack of articles with the top cover formed from the blank of FIG. 31 folded thereabout;

FIG. 33. is a plan view of a blank for forming a carrying handle according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34. is an illustration of the blank of FIG. 33 being folded to form a carrying handle;

FIG. 35. is an illustration of the inside of the carrying handle of FIG. 34 in a further step of the handle's construction;

FIG. 36. is an illustration of the carrying handle formed from the blank of FIG. 33 being attached to a two-tiered stack of articles, each tier comprising a 2×3 grouped array of articles;

FIG. 37. is a view from the bottom of a unitary package formed from the carrying handle of FIG. 33 and the two-tiered stacked array of FIG. 36, showing the teeth of the carrying handle contacting the underside of the engagement member of the stacked array;

FIG. 38. is a perspective view from above of the top and side of the unitary package of FIGS. 36 and 37, wherein a user is grasping the carrying handle for lifting the package;

FIG. 39. is a plan view of a blank for forming a carrying handle according to yet a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 40. is an illustration of the blank of FIG. 39 being folded to form a carrying handle; and

FIG. 41. is an illustration of the inside of the carrying handle ready for insertion into a group of articles or container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks, carrying handles and top covers are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented, and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the package, blanks, carrying handles and top covers described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a blank 10 for forming a carrying handle according to a first embodiment; the blank 10 is shown in a folded condition in FIG. 4 prior to use with a group of articles ‘A’ as shown in FIG. 5. The carrying handle cooperates with the group of articles ‘A’ to form a package as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In the exemplary embodiments, the packages show an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles. For example, the arrangement is a matrix including rows and columns such as a 2×3 arrangement of articles. The carrying handles and top covers disclosed herein can be alternatively configured for other articles and/or different arrangements of articles.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the blank 10 comprises a series of hinged and foldably connected panels cut and creased from a sheet of material. Any suitable substrate or combinations of substrate materials may be used for forming the blank 10, in a preferred but nevertheless optional embodiment, the sheet of material from which the blank 10 is cut is a paperboard sheet. Blank 10 comprises a first handle panel or handle portion 14, and an optional reinforcing handle panel 12 hinged to first handle panel 14 along fold line 13. First and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b together form a hook 16 a/16 b in use. First and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b are hingedly connected to the first handle panel 14, optionally indirectly along fold lines 27, 25 respectively that connect the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b the gusset panels. First hook panel 16 a is hingedly connected to hook panel 16 b along a medial or central, longitudinally extending fold line 29. Optionally the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b are symmetrical about the fold line 29, in other words the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b are mirror images of one another.

In alternative embodiments, a spine panel may be provided to hingedly interconnect first hook panel 16 a with second hook panel 16 b. In such embodiments, the first handle panel 14 may be hingedly connected to the spine panel either in addition to the hinged connection to the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b, or as an alternative to the hinged connection to the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b.

Optionally, the first handle panel 14 comprises a substantially triangular first gusset panel defined in part by fold line 25 and in part by a fold line 21 disposed at an angular relationship to fold line 25. Optionally, the first handle panel 14 comprises a substantially triangular second gusset panel defined in part by fold line 27 and in part by a fold line 23 disposed at an angular relationship to fold line 27. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the fold lines 21, 23, 25, 27 converge at a common vertex. However, in other embodiments, other arrangements are envisaged. For example, the fold lines 23, 27 may converge at a separate vertex to a vertex at which fold lines 21, 25 converge. Where the fold lines 21, 23, 25, 27 converge at a common vertex, the longitudinal fold line 29 may converge at the same vertex as well.

The first handle panel 14 may comprise a first tab 20 struck therefrom. The first tab 20 may be defined in part by a cut line, and in part by a fold line 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the cut line is arcuate or horseshoe shaped. In other embodiments, other shapes may be envisaged.

The first tab 20 defines an aperture in the first handle panel 14 when the first tab 20 is folded out of the plane of the handle panel 14. In use, the aperture may be engaged by a user to carry a group of articles ‘A’ using the carrying handle 16 a/16 b/14. Reinforcing handle panel 12 may also comprise a second tab 18 struck therefrom. The second tab 18 may be defined in part by a cut line, and in part by a fold line 17. It is envisaged that the second tab 18 will be similar in shape to the first tab 20, and be arranged so that when reinforcing handle panel 12 is folded about fold line 13 to be in face contacting relationship with first handle panel 14, the second tab 18 is in registry with the first tab 20 such that when both the first and second tabs 20, 18 are folded out of the plane of the respective panels 14, 12, the apertures thereby formed in each of the first handle panel 14 and the reinforcing handle panel 12 are also in registry. Optionally, the first handle panel 14 may comprise a pair of nicks or cuts or other weakened lines of severance 24. The weakened lines of severance 24 extend radially outwardly from the cut line defining the first tab 20. The pair of weakened lines of severance 24 define a portion of the first handle panel therebetween, which may yield when a user engages with the first tab 20, and the aperture it defines, to carry the handle structure. In embodiments comprising the reinforcing handle panel 12 and a second tab 18, a pair of weakened lines of severance 22 may also be provided, extending outwardly from the cut line defining the second tab 18.

Each of the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b comprises one or more and optionally a plurality of teeth 30, each extending outwardly from a free side edge of a hook panel 16 a, 16 b. Each tooth 30 comprises a shoulder portion 32 defined by an engaging edge. Optionally, the shoulder portion 32 extends substantially perpendicularly to the side edge of the hook panel 16 a, 16 b from which it extends. In other embodiments, other shapes and arrangements are envisaged such that each tooth 30 may form a hooking element. Each tooth 30 may also comprise a ramp or slope 34 along a lower edge of the tooth 30 opposing the shoulder portion 32 so as to form a ratchet type structure. The lowermost teeth 30 on each of the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b comprise sloped edges 36 a, 36 b respectively, which form a leading edge of the hook 16 a/16 b. The sloped edges 36 a, 36 b extend from the lowermost teeth 30 substantially to the fold line 29.

Optionally, the material from which a blank 10 of FIG. 1 may be formed is paperboard. Optionally, the handle portion 14/12 is of sufficient size and/or shape such that it can be held or grasped by a user. Optionally, the handle portion 14, 12 may be formed from more one or more panels of material 14, 12 and optionally may comprise any one or more or a combination of: apertures, cushion flaps or other features to assist a user securely and comfortably grasping the handle panel 14.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view from the top, front and side of a package constructed from a four-tiered arrangement of articles ‘A’ (shown separately in FIG. 5) and an attachable carrying handle. The attachable carrying handle that forms part of the package shown in FIG. 8 is formed from the blank 10 that is shown in FIG. 1 and described above. The attachable carrying handle is perhaps best viewed in FIG. 4. To form the attachable carrying handle, the reinforcement handle panel 12 is folded about fold line 13 to bring the reinforcement panel 12 and handle portion 14 into face contacting relationship. The handle portion 14 and reinforcement panel 12 may be adhered or otherwise affixed together or may just be folded together. The first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b are folded about fold line 29 toward one another to form a hook having a cross-sectional shape that is substantially “V”-shaped. The handle portion 14/12 may be folded using the gusset panels, about fold lines 23, 21, 25 and 27, relative to the hook. The attachable carrying handle of FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8 comprises a single hook 16 a/16 b, having one or more, (in this arrangement eight), teeth 30, which are connected to the first handle panel 14 via the hook 16 a/16 b. The teeth 30 are arranged in four pairs, wherein each pair is disposed substantially in the same plane, but spaced apart due to the folded nature of the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b.

The teeth 30 of the attachable carrying handle each comprise a hooked or engaging edge 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The engaging edges 32 are arranged in pairs so that the engaging edges 32 of each pair are disposed in use at substantially the same elevation and function as a single hooking means. The hook 16 a/16 b of the attachable carrying handle preferably comprises the hinged hook panels 16 a, 16 b foldable with respect to each other so that it can be moved through a path or aperture provided by an article ‘A’ or an arrangement of a group of articles ‘A’. The hook 16 a/16 b then unfolds or opens, at least partially, such that it cannot easily be withdrawn again. Thereby the attachable handle is readily installed and not so readily un-installed from an article ‘A’ or article ‘A’ group. Optionally, the hook 16 a/16 b may unfold naturally, by virtue of the natural tendency of the material from which it is formed to return to its unfolded state. Additionally, or alternatively, the handle may be configured or arranged such that unfolding is encouraged or promoted. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b unfold to define a substantially V-shaped structure when viewed in cross-section, as can be seen in FIG. 7.

In use, the carrying handle engages with a group of sixteen articles ‘A’. As shown in FIG. 8, the group of articles ‘A’ comprises four tiers of articles ‘A’ stacked in vertical registry. Each tier comprises a group of four articles ‘A’ arranged in a two by two array. Each article ‘A’ is connected, preferably by frangible connections J, to two adjacent articles ‘A’ in the array and preferably is separated from (or indirectly connected to) a diagonally opposing article ‘A’. Optionally, each article ‘A’ comprises a flange or protrusion F extending outwardly from walls of the article ‘A’. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange F is disposed at the top of each article ‘A’ and defines a surface for securing a lid thereto. An aperture H is disposed centrally in the array and is defined in part by a portion of the flange F of each article ‘A’ in the array. The flange edges F about the aperture H provides an engaging member having an upper surface and a lower most surface. The lowermost surface provides a lifting edge.

The group of articles ‘A’ illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8 comprises an article arrangement having a surface, aperture, edge or other framing feature that can be engaged by the attachable handle, proximate an aperture, channel or other suitable hollow through which the hook 16 a/16 b may be inserted or slotted. In the illustrated arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 8, the four-tiered article arrangement is formed from four layers or tiers of similar article groups. Optionally, each article group may be an arrangement of four pots or cups ‘A’, each covered by a film and each frangibly connected to two adjacent pots ‘A’ by a joint J. Each pot ‘A’ has a flanged top which protrudes beyond the extent of the base or upper sides of the pot A to create a projecting ledge. This flange F provides the point of frangible connection between adjacent pots ‘A’ and, in the configuration of four arranged pots ‘A’ as illustrated in FIG. 5, creates an aperture H which is optionally centrally disposed. Optionally, the aperture H is edged by the flanges F of four adjacent pots ‘A’ such that a curved diamond-shaped aperture H is formed. The specific shape of aperture H, the provision of an aperture H, and the provision of a flange-edged aperture H, are each optional aspects of the invention. The illustrated arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 8 comprises such an edged aperture H and, in this example, the edged aperture H enables the carrying handle to engage the article group when the handle is arranged such that the first handle panel 14 and reinforcing handle panel 12 are positioned above the edged aperture H. This is achieved in the illustrated arrangements by a pair of teeth 30 abutting, contacting, or engaging the underside edge of the edged aperture H of each tier of articles ‘A’. Stated differently, part of the flanges F of the articles or pots A provides an engaging member via which the carrying handle is attached to the article group. It is envisaged that other forms of engaging member, via which the carrying handle is attached to a group of articles may be used according to the present invention. Such other engaging members should allow the carrying handle to be sufficiently strongly connected to the article arrangement as well as to restrict the carrying handle from being withdrawn back out of the article arrangement such that the package (the combination of the handle structure and articles ‘A’) thus formed may be carried by a user by his/her gripping the first handle panel 14 and/or reinforcing panel 12.

Optionally, the attachable handle may be of sufficient size, shape and configuration that it may beneficially serve to also group a number of articles ‘A’ together. This is the case in respect of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 8. The handle comprises four pairs of teeth 30 and each pair is used to secure and affix the handle to multiple arrays of articles ‘A’. As such, the handle structure beneficially can provide a means for grouping multiple arrays or tiers of articles ‘A’ together to that they may conveniently be manipulated as a single group. As is illustrated in FIG. 7, as the handle is inserted, each of the four pairs of teeth 30 is pushed past at least one flange F of one of the tiers of the article stack or group. The lowermost pair of teeth 30 travels past the flange F of all the tiers. Then, once all pairs are disposed beneath (with reference to the view of FIG. 8) the respective tier that they are intended to engage with, the hinged connection between each the first and second hook panels 16 a, 16 b is allowed to relax or open, optionally causing the hook 16 a/16 b to adopt a non-coplanar structure and enabling the teeth 30 to catch onto the flanged edge F (see FIG. 7). As is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the shoulder or hooking portion 32 of each tooth 30 is placed in secure engagement with an article ‘A’ disposed within the article group.

In alternative embodiments the articles ‘A’ may not comprise a flange or protrusion F. In such embodiments, the package may further comprise a separate engaging member in the form of, for example, an insert that is placed beneath each tier of articles ‘A’. Such an insert may comprise an aperture for receiving at least a part of the hook 16 a/16 b such that one or more teeth 30 may engage with the insert. The lowermost inset may optionally comprise a spacer element, such as side or end walls, for raising an article receiving surface or panel of the insert, in a pallet like manner, such that the lowermost tooth 30 may engage beneath the article receiving panel of the insert.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown alternative embodiments of the present invention. In the second and third illustrated embodiments, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “100” or “200” to indicate that these features belong to the second or third embodiment. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 8 will be described in any greater detail.

FIG. 2 illustrates a blank 110 according to a second embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the handle formed from the blank 110 is arranged to engage with a stack of articles ‘A’ comprising three tiers, wherein the first and second hook panels 116 a, 116 b comprise three pairs of oppositely disposed teeth 130, arranged for this purpose.

FIG. 3 illustrates a blank 210 according to a third embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the handle formed from the blank 210 is arranged to engage with a stack of articles ‘A’ comprising two tiers. The first and second hook panels 216 a, 216 b comprise two pairs of oppositely disposed teeth 230 for this purpose.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 20, there are shown fourth to seventh alternative embodiments of the present invention. In the fourth to seventh illustrated embodiments, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “300” or “400” and so on to indicate that these features belong to the respective alternative embodiment. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 8 will be described in any greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a blank 310 for forming an attachable carrying handle according to a fourth embodiment.

The blank 310 is formed from a sheet or substrate of suitable material. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed.

Referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that blank 310 comprises a series of hinged and foldably connected panels cut and creased from a sheet of material. Blank 310 comprises: a first handle panel 312 (also referred to as handle portion 312); reinforcing handle panels 314 (also referred to as cushion flaps 314) hinged to either side of the first handle panel 312 along fold lines 311; first and second hook panels 316 a, 316 b, which together form a first hook 316 a/316 b in use; and third and fourth hook panels 316 c, 316 d, which together form a second hook 316 c/316 d in use.

The handle panel 312 comprises a pair of cushion flaps 314 disposed on opposing sides thereof. A cut line 309 or weakened line of severance is disposed at each end of fold line 311. The cut lines 309 separate a portion of the cushion flap 314 from the handle panel 312.

Optionally, the cut lines 309 are disposed at an angular relationship to the fold line 311 such that the cut lines 309 and fold line 311 are not co-linear. The cut lines 309 are preferably arranged such that they converge towards the fold line 311 and diverge towards the respective free side edge of the handle panel 312. Optionally, the handle portion 312/314 is of sufficient size and/or shape which may be held or grasped by a user.

First and second hook panels 316 a, 316 b are hingedly connected to the first handle panel 312 along fold lines 327 a, 325 a respectively. First hook panel 316 a is hingedly connected to second hook panel 316 b along a centre or medial fold line 329 a. Optionally, the first handle panel 312 comprises or is linked to a first pair of gusset panels defined in part by fold lines 325 a/321 a and 327 a/323 a. The gusset panel fold lines 325 a/321 a and 327 a/323 a are disposed at an acute angular relationship relative to one another.

Third and fourth hook panels 316 c, 316 d are hingedly connected to the first handle panel 312 along fold lines 327 b, 325 b respectively. Third hook panel 316 c is hingedly connected to fourth hook panel 316 d along a centre or medial, longitudinally extending fold line 329 b. Optionally, the first handle panel 312 comprises a second pair of gusset panels disposed on the opposite side of the handle panel 312 to the first pair of gusset panels. The second pair of gusset panels are defined in part by fold lines 325 b/321 b and 327 b/323 b. Again, the gusset panel fold lines 325 b/321 b and 327 b/323 b are disposed at an acute angular relationship to one another.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pairs of fold lines for each pair of gusset panels 325 a/321 a and 327 a/323 a; and 325 b/321 b and 327 b/323 b converge at a common vertex, optionally coincidental with a termination of the medial fold line 329 a and 329 b respectively.

Each of the first, second, third and fourth hook panels 316 a, 316 b, 316 c, 316 d comprises one or more teeth 330 (in this optional illustrated arrangement, two teeth 330 each) each extending outwardly from the free side edge thereof. Each tooth 330 comprises a shoulder portion 332 defining an engaging edge. Optionally, the shoulder portion 332 extends substantially perpendicularly to the side edge of the hook panel 316 a, 316 b, 316 c, 316 d from which it extends. In other embodiments, other shapes and arrangements are envisaged such that each tooth 330 may form a hooking or engaging element. Each tooth 330 may also comprise a ramp or slope 334 along a lower (in use) edge of the tooth 330 opposing the shoulder portion 332 so as to form a ratchet type structure. The lowermost tooth 330 on each of the hook panels 316 a, 316 b, 316 c, 316 d comprises a sloped edge, which forms a leading edge of the hooks 316 a/316 b; 316 c/316 d when folded and formed into a carrying handle. The sloped edges extend from the lowermost teeth 330 substantially toward the fold line 329 a, 329 b respectively.

Formation of the blank 310 into a carrying handle is achieved by folding the first and second hook panels 316 a, 316 b about fold line 329 a substantially into face contacting relationship and by folding the third and fourth hook panels 316 c, 316 d about fold line 329 b substantially into face contacting relationship with one another. The pairs of first/second 316 a/316 b and third/fourth 316 c/316 d hook panels are folded into substantially perpendicular relationship relative to the handle panel 312, (as illustrated in FIG. 11). The gusset panels are folded about fold lines 321 a, 323 a, 321 b, 323 b respectively such that each of the gusset panels are brought substantially into face contacting relationship with the handle panel 312.

The carrying handle formed from the blank 310 is arranged to engage with a group of articles ‘A’, optionally having two tiers as is shown in FIG. 14. The group of articles ‘A’ comprises two tiers of articles ‘A’ each tier comprising an array of six articles ‘A’ arranged in a two by three array. Each array comprises a pair of apertures; each aperture being disposed centrally between four of the articles ‘A’ in the array.

In use, the carrying handle forms a package with the article group ‘A’; a double-ply hook 316 a/316 b, 316 c/316 d is inserted into a respective one of the holes ‘H’ formed in the 2×3 array of articles of each tier, as explained above.

FIG. 10 illustrates a blank 410 according to a fifth embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the carrying handle formed from the blank 410 is arranged to engage with a group of articles ‘A’ that comprises two tiers. The first, second, third and fourth hook panels 416 a, 416 b, 416 c, 416 d each comprises two oppositely disposed teeth for this purpose. The handle panel 412 is longer in length than the handle panel 312 of the embodiment of FIG. 9. The carrying handle formed from the blank 410 is adapted to engage with an article group of a two-tier structure in which each tier comprises an array of articles ‘A’ larger than two by three, for example, but not limited to, 2×4, 2×5, 2×6. In this embodiment, the handle engages with a first and second aperture formed in each array of articles ‘A’. The first and second apertures are each disposed adjacent to an endmost article ‘A’ in the array, or alternatively, the first and second apertures are separated from one another by more than one article ‘A’.

FIG. 17 illustrates a blank 510 adapted to carry a stack of articles ‘A’ comprising a single tier in accordance with a sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 illustrates a blank 610 adapted to engage with a group of articles ‘A’ comprising a single tier in accordance with a seventh embodiment. FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a carrying handle formed from the blank 610 and a package comprising the handle and a one-tier article group in which the articles are arranged in a two by three array.

In FIGS. 21 to 32 there are illustrated an exemplary variety of top covers configured and arranged for use with an attachable carrying handle optionally, but not limited to the carrying handle shown in FIGS. 1 to 20, described above as well as FIGS. 33 to 41 described below. It will be understood that the top cover arrangements disclosed herein serve merely to illustrate the invention and do not represent an exhaustive recitation of all the possible formats and configurations of top cover that may be used with a handle that attaches to a group of articles and optionally joins together more than one tier of articles (and at the same time joins the top cover to the articles).

Referring now to FIG. 21, there is shown a blank 700 for forming a top cover for folding about an article group, such as a two-tiered stack of frangibly linked articles ‘A’, as shown in FIG. 22. The blank 700 comprises a primary panel 750 which comprises one or more apertures 756 for aligning with the one or more holes ‘H’ present in the article group to which a carrying handle is to be attached. In the presently described arrangement, the top cover formed from the blank 700 is for a two-tiered stack of articles ‘A’ arranged in a 2×3 array, having a hole ‘H’ between each 2×2 sub-array of articles. As such, the primary panel 750 is provided with two apertures 756, each defined by a cut line 758.

The primary panel 750 is hinged at each of its ends to an end panel 752 a, 752 b by means of fold lines 754 a, 754 b respectively. The top cover formed from the blank 700 is sized and arranged to fit onto and about a two-tiered group of articles ‘A’ (see FIG. 22). The fold lines 754 a, 754 b are spaced apart by a distance that substantially matches (or is slightly greater than) the length of the 2×3 article array. In this way, the primary panel 750 can be placed on top of the uppermost 2×3 article array of the two-tiered stack, and the end panels 752 a, 752 b, folded about fold lines 754 a, 754 b. Optionally, the end panels 752 a, 752 b are sized to match the height of the stacked array. In other embodiments, the end panels 752 a, 752 b are shorter than the height of the stacked array to which they are attached. As can be seen in FIG. 22, the optionally elliptically shaped apertures 756 overlay and thereby expose the apertures or holes ‘H’ present in the 2×3 article arrays. The holes ‘H’ in the top tier are the same as those in the lower tier(s) so that a handle, optionally such as the carrying handle depicted in FIG. 11 (or FIGS. 36 and 41, described further below), can fit: through the apertures 756 provided in the primary panel 750; through the holes ‘H’ in the uppermost tier; and through the holes ‘H’ in the lowermost tier. The tapered leading edge of the carrying handle facilitates insertion of the handle, and the teeth 330, 330′, 230′ through the holes ‘H’. Withdrawal of the carrying handle is prevented because of the edge defined by the shoulder portion 332 engaging against or catching on a flanged edge ‘F’ of the grouped array of articles ‘A’. (This engagement is also described above). As such, the carrying handle has served to connect two-tiers of articles ‘A’ together and has served to connect a top cover formed from the blank 700 at least to the uppermost tier of articles ‘A’ in the stack.

In FIGS. 23 and 24, a variation of top cover is shown. The top cover is formed from a blank 800 (see FIG. 23) and comprises a primary panel 850 having two apertures 856. In this embodiment, two side panels 852 c, 852 d are provided rather than end panels 752 a, 752 b as in the previously described embodiment. Again, apertures 856 provided in a suitable number (typically one or two), size and position, have been formed in the primary panel 850. The side panels 852 c, 852 d are spaced in correspondence with the width of the article tier so that the side panels 852 c, 852 d can be folded about fold lines 854 c, 854 d, downwardly with respect to primary panel 850, and into an overlapping position against the sides of the grouped article tier(s). In FIG. 25, it has been illustrated how a carrying handle, (optionally such as the carrying handle illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11 & 14) has been inserted into each aperture 856, through the holes ‘H’ in the uppermost tier and through the holes ‘H’ in the lowermost tier to form a unitary package. The underside of the flanges of the article arrays about the holes ‘H’ provide engaging edges for the shoulders 332 of the teeth 330 of the carrying handle such that attachment of the handle to the article tiers, and connection of the top cover formed from the blank 800 to the grouped stack of articles ‘A’ is achieved by means of a mechanical lock. It can be seen that the top cover 800 is sandwiched between the tiered articles ‘A’ and the carrying handle and held in place by means of the mechanical locking of the carrying handle to the arrayed articles.

No adhesive is necessary or required in the construction of the handle, top cover or package. This is advantageous because the package is easier to assemble and disassemble; the package can easily be formed manually if required; and the top cover may remain intact and without any fibre tear (which can often occur when a package constructed using adhesive is disassembled). As such, if required, the top cover can be used for promotional purposes and the promotional material printed or otherwise provided on the top cover is unlikely to suffer from damage during package disassembly. The handle and top cover are recyclable and being easy to disassemble and fold flat (without the need to break adhesive connections), may encourage the end consumer to recycle them. Furthermore, the provision of a carrying handle and top cover 800 from separate blanks (310, 850) provides for the option to construct the top cover 800 from a lower caliper, lower grade, lower weight and/or different type of material compared to the carrying handle. As such, the carrying handle may be formed of a stronger, heavier weight board, whereas the top cover may be formed from a less costly lower weight material.

A further blank 900 for forming a top cover according to another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, wherein a primary panel 950 is again provided with two apertures 956 because the primary panel 950 has been formed and sized specifically for a 2×3 article array. Only one side panel 952 c is attached to the primary panel 950 by means of a hinged connection 964 c. Optionally, the side panel 952 c and hinged connection 964 c are each of the same maximum length. Optionally, the side panel 952 c and hinged connection 964 c each have a maximum length that is less than the maximum length of either the lowermost or uppermost tier of connected articles ‘A’.

Yet a further embodiment of blank 1000 for forming a top cover is illustrated in FIGS. 28, 29, and 30 wherein only a primary panel 1050 is provided. The primary panel 1050 is sized and shaped to overlay a substantial area of the top surface of the uppermost tier of arrayed articles ‘A’ and is provided with optionally two apertures 1056, each optionally elliptical. In FIG. 29, the attachment of the top cover formed from the blank 1000 to a stacked group of articles ‘A’ is shown. A carrying handle formed from the blank 310′ of FIG. 33 (see below) has been inserted through each aperture 1056 and through the holes ‘H’ of the arrayed articles ‘A’ to attach the articles ‘A’ and top cover together.

A final illustrated variation of top cover is shown in FIG. 31 wherein a blank 1100 is illustrated (see also FIG. 32). A four-sided primary panel 1150 is attached at each end to an end panel 1152 a, 1152 b and is attached at each side to a side panel 1152 c, 1152 d. Fold lines 1154 a, 1154 b, 1154 c, 1154 d are provided to facilitate the accurate folding of the side and end panels 1152 c, 1152 d, 1152 a, 1152 b downwardly (relative to primary panel 1150) against the sides of the article stack ‘A’.

Optionally, the primary panel 750, 850, 950, 1050, 1150 of the top cover is sized such that it covers or substantially covers the tops of the articles ‘A’ of the uppermost tier and in doing so can serve to protect those tops from damage. Often, where yoghurt and other such dairy products are packaged in pots, the pots are sealed with a foil film. The foil film is thin enough that it can be punctured during transportation, shelf-display, purchase and storage, i.e. before consumption of the product is required. This can be disadvantageous and can result in undesired mess, product damage and wastage. The provision of a primary panel 750, 850, 950, 1050, 1150 provides a level of protection for the articles ‘A’ which may help to limit or mitigate such accidents and product loss. In other envisaged embodiments, the primary panel 750, 850, 950, 1050, 1150 may be asymmetrically shaped; may have three or more sides; may have curved and/or straight edge sections; may be similar in size and/or shape to the article array; may be different in size and/or shape to the article array; and/or may be reusable; and/or may not entirely cover the uppermost tier of articles and the primary panel may provide a panel for attaching a side or end panel of larger size to the article stack.

Furthermore, the two apertures 756, 856, 956, 1056, 1156 are shown as being dimensionally similar. In other arrangements, optionally, where the hook panels 316 a/316 b; 316 c/316 d of the carrying handle are not identical, it is envisaged that the apertures 756, 856, 956, 1056, 1156 may optionally also be suitably non-identical.

In further envisaged embodiments, the one or more aperture(s) 756, 856, 956, 1056, 1156 may not be elliptical in shape. Preferably, however, the one or more aperture(s) 756, 856, 956, 1056, 1156 are elliptical in shape, as this shape may best accommodate the hook panel(s) 316 a/316 b; 316 c/316 d of a carrying handle for a tight fit which may improve the secure attachment of the carrying handle to the articles ‘A’ and top cover.

Turning now to FIGS. 33 to 38 and 39 to 41, there are shown two further embodiments of attachable carrying handle. In these illustrated embodiments of carrying handle, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the suffix ′ (prime) to indicate that these features belong to a different embodiment. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the embodiments of FIGS. 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and FIG. 3 respectively and therefore only the differences from the embodiments of carrying handle and blank therefor previously illustrated and described will be described in any greater detail.

In FIG. 33, the blank 310′ is provided with a series of reinforcement panels 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′, 312 a′, 312 b′, 314 a′ and 314 b′. Each of the reinforcement panels 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′, 312 a′, 312 b′, 314 a′ and 314 b′ is coupled to the blank 310′ such that it can be folded about a fold line 331 a′, 331 b′, 331 c′, 331 d′, 333 b′, 333 a′, 311 a′, 311 b′, and into substantially face-contacting arrangement or overlaying arrangement with the original carrying handle panel 316 a′, 316 b′, 316 c′, 316 d′, 312′, 314′ that it is provided to reinforce.

To construct the carrying handle, the reinforcement panels 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′, 312 a′, 312 b′, 314 a′ and 314 b′ are folded about the fold lines 331 a′, 3311D′, 331 c′, 331 d′, 333 b′, 333 a′, 311 a′, 311 b′ to bring them into face contact with the panels 316 a′, 316 b′, 316 c′, 316 d′, 312′, 314′ that they reinforce. (See FIGS. 34 and 35). Then the carrying handle is constructed as described before by:

-   -   (i) folding the first and second hook panels 316 a′/313 a′ and         316 b′/313 b′ toward one another using medial fold line 329 a′;     -   (ii) folding the third and fourth hook panels 316 c′/313 c′ and         316 d′/313 d′ toward one another using medial fold line 329 b′;     -   (iii) folding the four plies of first hook panel/second hook         panel/first hook panel reinforcement/second hook panel         reinforcement 316 a′/313 a′/316 b′/313 b′ into substantially         perpendicular relationship with the handle panel 312′;     -   (iv) folding the four plies of third hook panel/fourth hook         panel/third hook panel reinforcement/fourth hook panel         reinforcement 316 c′/313 c′/316 d′/313 d′ into substantially         perpendicular relationship with the handle panel 312′;     -   (v) folding the gusset panels about fold lines 321 a′, 325 a′,         321 b′, 325 b′, 321 c′, 325 c′, 321 d′, 325 d′ respectively such         that each of the gusset panels is brought substantially into         face contacting relationship with the handle panel 312; and     -   (vi) folding the cushion flap reinforcements 314 a′, 314 b′         about fold lines 311 a′ and 311 b′ (as illustrated in FIG. 36).

The resulting carrying handle structure comprises two hooks: one disposed at each of opposing ends of the handle portion 312′. The hooks are each four plies of material thick. Each of the four plies of material has a tooth 330′ and shoulder 332′. The teeth 330′ and their shoulders 332′ are formed by the provision of the shaped apertures 335 a′, 335 b′, 335 c′, 335 d′ (see FIG. 33) and the fold lines 331 a′, 3311D′, 331 c′, 331 d′.

After insertion of the carrying handle into holes ‘H’ of one or more tiers of articles the teeth 330′ contact an underside of an engaging member provided optionally by a flanged edge ‘F’ about the hole ‘H’. In this way the flanged edge ‘F’ provides a lifting surface. See FIG. 37 wherein, it can be seen how the shoulder portions 332′ of the teeth 330′ contact the engaging member.

Furthermore in FIG. 37, it can be seen how the fold lines 331 a′, 331 b′, 331 c′, 331 d′ between a hook panel 316 a′, 316 b′, 316 c′, 316 d′ and its reinforcement 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′ keep the hook panel 316 a′, 316 b′, 316 c′, 316 d′ and its reinforcement 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′ reasonably close together, but not necessarily “in contact” to create a connected tooth 330′ having a substantially triangular cross-section. The teeth 330′ of substantially triangular cross-section each have two shoulder edges 332′. This creates an increased contact area between the hook tooth 330′ and the engaging member F. The hook comprises two adjacent teeth 330′ such that in parts, the cross-sectional shape of the hook is at least substantially chevron-shaped. (Consider the shape made by tracing the following course: fold line 329 a′ to fold line 331 b′; to the free edge of reinforcement 313 b′ and the edge of reinforcement 313 a′ to the fold line 331 a′ to the fold line 329 a′ and see FIG. 37).

Furthermore, the slight fanning out from a completely flat face contacting position of the hook panel 316 a′, 316 b′, 316 c′, 316 d′ and its reinforcement 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′ (due to the natural resilience of the material from which the blank 310′ is formed) increases the effective width or thickness of each hook (316 a′/313 a′/316 b′/313 b′ and 316 c′/313 c′/316 d′/313 d′ respectively). This may improve the tightness of the fit of the carrying handle in the holes ‘H’ (and also optionally in the apertures 756, 856, 956, 1056, 1156 in the primary panel 750, 850, 950, 1050, 1150, where the carrying handle is used together with a top cover, for example, see FIG. 11). The provision of one or more reinforcement panels 313 a′, 313 b′, 313 c′, 313 d′, 312 a′, 312 b′, 314 a′ and 314 b′ may enable the carrying handle to be formed from a lower weight or caliper material and/or may increase the rigidity of the blank which is a consideration in the high-speed automated folding of such blanks into a part formed carrying handle ready for insertion into a package.

A further illustrated example of a carrying handle having reinforcement panels is provided in FIGS. 39 to 41, wherein a carrying handle having a single hook 216 a′/213 a′/216 b′/213 b′ with two teeth 230′ of substantially triangular cross-section projecting from the edges of the single hook is shown (see FIG. 41 in particular). Each tooth 230′ has two shoulder edges 232′. The carrying handle optionally also has a reinforced tab 220′/218 a′, 218 b′ provided in a reinforced handle portion 214 a′/212 a′/214 b′/212 b′.

The blank 210′ for forming the carrying handle comprises a first hook panel 216 a′ and its reinforcement 213 a′ connected thereto by means of a hinged connection 231 a′ provided on the tooth edge. In this way the reinforcement 213 a′ can reinforce the tooth 230′ which is beneficial since it is the tooth 230′ of the carrying handle that engages an engaging member ‘F’ of an article ‘A’. Again, the provision of two shoulder 232′ edges per tooth 230′ increases the amount of engagement between the carrying handle and the articles ‘A’ it is attached to. Similarly, a second hook panel 216 b′ and its reinforcement 213 b′ is provided; these are connected to the first hook panel 216 a′ by means of fold line 229′. A single pair of gusset panels 203 a′, 203 b′ are provided at one end only of the handle portion 214 a′/214 b′, defined by fold lines 225′, 221′, 227′, 223′. Handle portion reinforcements 212 a′/212 b′ are also provided. Optionally, the reinforcement panels 213 a′, 213 b′, 212 a′; 212 b′ may not be co-extensive with the panel they serve to reinforce. In other embodiments it is envisaged that any or all of the reinforcement panels 213 a′, 213 b′, 212 a′; 212 b′ may be co-extensive with the panel they serve to reinforce. The carrying handle operates by being inserted into a hole ‘H’ in an article ‘A’ or article package and becomes mechanically locked thereto by the engagement of the teeth 230′ and a lifting surface or engaging member of the articles or package. The carrying handle may be used in conjunction with one or more top cover(s).

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles ‘A’ of differing size or shape.

In alternative embodiments the articles ‘A’ may not comprise a flange or protrusion ‘F’. In such embodiments, the package may further comprise an insert placed beneath each tier of articles. The insert may comprise an aperture for receiving at least a part of the hook 16 a/16 b, 316 a/316 b such that one or more teeth 30, 330 may engage with the insert. The lowermost insert may optionally comprise a spacer element, such as side or end walls, for raising an article receiving surface or panel of the insert, in a pallet like manner, such that the lowermost tooth may engage beneath the article receiving panel of the insert.

It will be understood upon reading the description and reviewing the illustrations that articles ‘A’ of various shapes and sizes may be suitable for having an attachable handle according to various aspects of the present invention attached to them. It is envisaged that the attachable handle may be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes and of various configurations to enable it to be attached in a secure enough manner for lifting one or more articles, or a group, or a plurality of groups of articles ‘A’. Furthermore, whereas aspects of the invention have been described in relation to pots or cups ‘A’ (optionally for dairy stuffs, yoghurt and the like), it is envisaged that the invention may be applied to other articles ‘A’ and reference to pots ‘A’, article arrangements, frangibly connected pot, articles ‘A’ with film, articles ‘A’ with flanges and other descriptive terms are used to aid the reader in understanding the arrangements illustrated and are not limiting.

It is fully recognised that other types of article ‘A’ and other types of article connection method will be suitable for combination with the attachable handle of the present invention. The attachable handle may be attached directly to one or more articles ‘A’, or indirectly via an outer carton or carrier to one or more articles ‘A’. For example, top-gripping carriers are known in the art for gripping the tops of articles ‘A’ and collating them. It is realised that the attachable handle described herein may be used in combination with such a top gripping carrier, to provide a more comfortable manner for carrying those types of package and/or to provide a means for grouping together a series of similar top-gripping carrier packages. Further still, the attachable handle may be usefully deployed in relation to a single article ‘A’ that may comprise an integral engaging edge and/or may comprise a fitment in co-operation with which the attachable handle may be used.

The present invention provides a carrying handle which can be attached to a group of frangibly connected articles to form a package having one or more tiers of articles. In embodiments having two or more tiers the carrying handle secures the tiers together in a fixed relationship to one another.

It will be appreciated that the carrying handle may be folded into a stowed position when not in use. In the stowed configuration, the handle portion or panel of the carrying handle is substantially flat or planar, and is disposed in close proximity to the upper surface of the articles with which it is in engagement, thereby facilitating grouping and/or stacking of packages, for example, on a pallet or shelf. The carrying handle can be deployed to a carrying position wherein the handle portion or panel is spaced apart from the upper surface of the article group such that it may be grasped by user.

In alternative embodiments, a spine panel may be provided to hingedly interconnect first hook panel 316 a with second hook panel 316 b. In such embodiments, the first handle panel 314 may be hingedly connected to the spine panel either in addition to the hinged connection to the first and second hook panels 316 a, 316 b or as an alternative to the hinged connection to the first and second hook panels 316 a, 316 b. In other embodiments, other gusset panel arrangements are envisaged, for example, the fold lines 325 a/321 a may converge at a separate vertex to a vertex at which fold lines 327 a/323 a converge; and optionally, similarly the fold lines 325 b/321 b may converge at a separate vertex to a vertex at which fold lines 327 b/323 b converge.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

As used herein, the terms “hinged connection” and “fold line” refer to all manner of lines that define hinge features of the blank, facilitate folding portions of the blank with respect to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding locations for the blank. A fold line is typically a scored line, an embossed line, or a debossed line. Any reference to hinged connection or fold line should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from any one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the term “severance line” refers to all manner of lines that facilitate separating portions of the substrate from one another or that indicate optimal separation locations. Severance lines may be frangible or otherwise weakened lines, tear lines, cut lines, or slits.

It should be understood that hinged connection, severance lines and fold lines can each include elements that are formed in the substrate of the blank including perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits, scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking, to facilitate folding and facilitate breaking with more effort, or to facilitate breaking with little effort. 

1. A package comprising a group of articles arranged in one or more tiers; an engaging member joined to the group of articles having a lifting surface; and a handle attached to the group of articles via engagement of the handle with the engaging member, the handle comprising a handle portion structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and at least one hook coupled to the handle portion, the at least one hook comprising at least two hook panels folded with respect to one another, each of the at least two hook panels comprising at least one tooth, at least part of the at least one hook being received in an aperture defined in the engaging member such that the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels engages the lifting surface of the engaging member.
 2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the at least one hook comprises first and second hooks, wherein each of the first and second hooks comprises two hook panels, wherein the first hook is coupled to one of opposed ends of the handle portion, and wherein the second hook is coupled to the other of the opposed ends of the handle portion.
 3. A package according to claim 1 wherein the at least two hook panels are disposed at an angle relative to one another such that a cross-section through the at least two hook panels is substantially “V”-shaped.
 4. A package according to claim 3 wherein the at least one tooth of a first one of the at least two hook panels has an engaging edge that is disposed, at least in part, in the same plane as an engaging edge of the at least one tooth of a second one of the at least two hook panels, such that the at least one tooth of the first one of the at least two hook panels and the at least one tooth of the second one of the at least two hook panels simultaneously engage the lifting surface of the engaging member at spaced locations.
 5. A package according to claim 1 wherein the handle portion is coupled to the at least one hook by one or more gusset panels such that the handle portion is foldable at an angle relative to the at least one hook and into flat face contacting relationship with an upper surface of the group of articles.
 6. A package according to claim 1 wherein each of the one or more tiers comprises an array of articles having a dimension of at least two articles by at least two articles, wherein each of the articles comprises a flange and wherein each article is frangibly connected to at least two adjacent articles by their respective flanges.
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. A package according to claim 1 further comprising a top cover comprising a primary panel having at least one aperture, the at least part of the at least one hook of the handle is received in the at least one aperture of the primary panel, and the top cover is attached to the group of articles by virtue of the connection of the handle to the group of articles.
 10. A package according to claim 1 further comprising at least one reinforcement panel hinged to each of the at least two hook panels and/or hinged to the handle portion, said at least one reinforcement panel being folded into a substantially flat-face contacting relationship with each of the at least two hook panels and/or said handle portion.
 11. A package according to claim 10 wherein the at least one tooth of the at least one hook projects from an outer edge of each of the at least two hook panels, wherein the at least one reinforcement panel comprises an outer edge that has a shape similar to the shape of an outer edge of each of the at least two hook panels and wherein the at least one reinforcement panel reinforces the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. A package according to claim 9 wherein the top cover further comprises one or more end panels and/or one or more side panels hinged to the primary panel and wherein the at least one aperture of the primary panel is elliptical in shape.
 15. (canceled)
 16. A carrying handle comprising a handle portion and at least one hook, the handle portion being structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and the at least one hook comprising at least two hook panels each coupled to the handle portion, the at least two hook panels being folded with respect to one another, each of the at least two hook panels having at least one tooth, wherein the at least one tooth extends from a respective one of the at least two hook panels for engaging with an engaging member of an article group such that the carrying handle is suitable for being attached to an article group.
 17. A carrying handle according to claim 16 wherein the at least one hook comprises first and second hooks, the first hook being coupled to one of opposed ends of the handle portion and the second hook being coupled to the other of the opposed ends of the handle portion and wherein each of the first and second hooks comprises two hook panels, folded with respect one another, each of the two hook panels having at least one tooth.
 18. A carrying handle according to claim 16 further comprising gusset panels for at least partially coupling the at least one hooks to the handle portion.
 19. A carrying handle according to claim 16 wherein the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels extends from a respective one of the at least two hook panels to form a ratchet and wherein the carrying handle further comprises one or more reinforcement panels hinged to the at least one hook and/or to the handle portion.
 20. (canceled)
 21. A carrying handle according to claim 16 wherein the at least one hook comprises two hooks each comprising a pair of hook panels coupled to a respective one of opposed ends of the handle portion, and wherein the one or more reinforcement panels comprises four reinforcement panels, the four reinforcement panels being hinged to the hook panels of the two hooks respectively via respective hinged connections.
 22. A carrying handle according to claim 21 further comprising a gusset panel coupling each of the hook panels to the handle portion, wherein none of the one or more reinforcement panels overlaps or reinforces said gusset panels.
 23. A blank for forming a carrying handle comprising a handle portion structured and arranged for being grasped by a user and at least one hook coupled to the handle portion, the blank comprising at least two hook panels foldable with respect to one another, each of the at least two hook panels comprising at least one tooth, and a handle portion, at least part of the at least one hook being configured such that the at least one hook can be received in an aperture defined in an engaging member of an article array such that the at least one tooth of each of the at least two hook panels can engage the engaging member.
 24. A blank according to claim 23 wherein the at least one hook comprises first and second hooks, the first hook being coupled to one of opposed ends of the handle portion, the second hook being coupled to the other of the opposed ends of the handle portion, and wherein each of the first and second hooks comprises two hook panels foldable with respect to one another, each of the two hook panels comprising at least one tooth.
 25. A blank according to claim 23 further comprising a gusset panel for at least partially coupling the at least one hook to the handle portion.
 26. A blank according to claim 23 wherein the at least one tooth extends from a free edge of a respective one of the at least two hook panels to form a ratchet and the blank further comprises one or more reinforcement panels hinged to the at least two hook panels and/or to the handle panel.
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. (canceled) 